Duties

Summary

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is looking for an energetic, innovative executive to work for a dynamic and mission driven organization as Chief Procurement Officer for the First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet). The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge of advanced communications technologies, and the proven ability to apply forward-thinking leadership in promoting and implementing a vision that fosters organizational excellence.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) is responsible for the comprehensive strategic short and long term planning for FirstNet's acquisition portfolio, which includes all goals, objectives, and operational needs. Major responsibilities include the overall/comprehensive executive level management of the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, both program requirements and personnel, as well as providing general assistance, coordination, guidance, and recommendations to the FirstNet executive management team, and other FirstNet officials and staff regarding sensitive and confidential procurement related issues.

As CPO, the incumbent is responsible for providing executive leadership and management of FirstNet's acquisition planning, strategy, and deployment. The CPO defines current and future business environments with acquisition and procurement solutions to support FirstNet's strategic mission. The incumbent is accountable to the FirstNet executive management team for the level of acquisition expertise and management provided to FirstNet's program and acquisition staff. The incumbent will assimilate views from the FirstNet Board, senior executive team, and public safety stakeholders from local, state, tribal and federal government officials on acquisitions related directly to or in support of the First Responder network. Upon request the CPO will provide recommendations to the FirstNet Board. The incumbent will oversee the coordination of acquisition and procurement policy with employees and contractors in support of the deployment and maintenance of the nationwide network and other FirstNet programs and initiatives.

As Chief Procurement Officer, the incumbent will:

1. Be responsible for the overall/comprehensive executive level management in the areas of procurement, purchasing and contracts administration. Acts as an advisor to the senior management team and FirstNet on issues related to procurement, purchasing, contracts and contract administration. Responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures governing FirstNet procurement, purchasing and contracting; leading efforts to ensure proper service is provided and that all information and materials provided to FirstNet offices, vendors, or bidders are accurate, up-to-date, and understandable.

2. Provide direction in contract formation, contract negotiations and contract administration pertaining to the procurement of goods and services for FirstNet. Provides technical direction and guidance as needed to program offices and staff in the preparation of procurement plans and on all aspects of contract formation to include solicitation, source selection and contract documents, and the review , analysis and technical evaluation of bids or proposals. Incumbent has unlimited procurement authority for FirstNet's acquisition program. Monitor, evaluate, and assess procurement, purchasing and contracts administration effectiveness and activities, and develops recommendations for continuous improvement. Oversees FirstNet's procedural development, training, contract tracking, and monitoring vendor performance. Assesses current procurement, purchasing and contract administration/compliance function, identifies policy and procedural changes for streamlining and rationalizing the procurement system as well as promoting open and full competition.

3. Be responsible for executive level management of personnel, to include hiring and personnel action recommendations, providing the timely review of, and feedback on all applicable individual performance plans and evaluations, coaching and mentoring FirstNet acquisition staff as able and/or necessary, and appropriately addressing employee conflicts and disciplinary actions. Responsible for the general day-to-day management and supervision of subordinate managers and other assigned staff.

4. Lead efforts to plan, secure approval of, and follow through on comprehensive long term acquisition goals, objectives, and operational needs. Monitor projects, initiatives, and day-to-day functions and responsibilities controlled by, assigned to, or associated with the CPO's staff. Reviews recommendations for improvements, modifications and/or enhancements to assure responsiveness to changing requirements. Assign, oversee, and monitor the development, implementation, and modification of internal workplace policies, standards, procedures, practices, and communication programs.

5. The incumbent works cooperatively with the other FirstNet officers and supports them in formulating and implementing goals and priorities of the organization, and developing and successfully implementing programs and activities to meet established objectives. The FirstNet CPO is also expected to collaborate with stakeholders and leverage public safety consultation throughout the creation of requests for proposals.

6. Designate Contracting Officers and maintain oversight of all contracting officers in FirstNet.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Position may require some travel; 25% or less.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Background and/or Security Investigation required.
• Subject to pre-employment and employment random drug testing.
• Public Financial Disclosure (SF-278 filing within 30 days is required).
• Incumbent maybe subject to geographic mobility.
• Position duty station is Reston, VA.
• Selectee must be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.

Applicants are required to submit only a resume which provides detailed evidence of how they meet the mandatory Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) and mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Applicants currently serving o a career SES appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program with ECQs certified by Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) are not required to be evaluated on the ECQs. For detailed guidance on ECQs, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Executive Qualifications at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf

If selected for the position as your initial career SES appointment, you will be required to submit a written narrative statement addressing all of the ECQs. The Department of Commerce will work with the selectee to develop the appropriate ECQ narrative for OPM QRB certification, as needed.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess all of the mandatory Executive Core Qualifications and Professional/Technical Qualifications listed.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):

The following are the five ECQs and their fundamental competencies which are selection criteria for SES positions. The ECQs were developed to assess executive experience and potential, not to evaluate technical experience.

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. (Competencies: creativity and innovation, external awareness, flexibility, resilience, strategic thinking, vision)

ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. (Competencies: conflict management, leveraging diversity, developing others, team building)

ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. (Competencies: accountability, customer service, decisiveness, entrepreneurship, problem solving, technical credibility)

ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. (Competencies: financial management, human capital management, technology management)

ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. (Competencies: partnering, political savvy, influencing/negotiating)

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQs):

PTQ 1 - Demonstrated experience in professional, executive level procurement, purchasing and contracts administration including significant knowledge of applicable acquisition laws and regulations, as well as contract administration and termination methods.

PTQ 2 -Demonstrated experience managing a substantial procurement organization including (ii) planning, project management, budget formulation (personnel and program), and procurement systems, and (iii) serving both internal and external customers, and effectively communicating with external stakeholders, including high level corporate and government executives.

PTQ 3 - Demonstrated experience in planning, developing, and implementing a contracting strategy as principal contracting advisor for a large acquisition program with multiple major acquisitions, including those of unprecedented nature and complexity or which have had a material influence on critical agency-level programs.

Education

This position and/or series does not have an educational requirement.

Additional information

Background Investigation: This position requires a Top Secret security clearance and is designated as special-sensitive, requiring that a background investigation be conducted and favorably adjudicated in order to establish security eligibility.

Financial Disclosure: This position is covered under the Ethics in Government Act, which requires comprehensive financial disclosures from employees. The appointee will be required to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278), within 30 days after his/her appointment, and then annually thereafter.

Qualifications Approval and Probationary Period: Persons newly selected for career appointment to the Senior Executive Service must have their executive core qualifications approved by an Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board and will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Mobility: Individuals selected for Senior Executive Service positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines.

Drug Testing: Applicants tentatively selected for employment in any position are subject to designated and/or random pre-employment and employment urinalysis. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment and/or removed from employment with the Department of Commerce.

The materials you send with your application will not be returned.

Veterans' preference is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.

You will be required to enter your full social security number (SSN) only to initially access and create an account at the OPM USAJOBS website; however, only the last four digits will appear in your resume. Please DO NOT put your SSN on pages within your application package. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.

False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be fired after you begin work, or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

Selective Service - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess all of the mandatory Executive Core Qualifications and Professional/Technical Qualifications listed above. These qualifications would typically be acquired through education, experience, and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in leading and managing a comprehensive program in a complex organization. An individual's total experience must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position. Applicants must meet all of the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

All basically qualified applicants will be evaluated by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) rating panel of senior managers to determine the degree to which they possess the mandatory executive core and professional/technical qualifications, and best qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The interview panel will make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority. All applicants will be evaluated on the quality and extent of their total accomplishments, experience, and the ECQs and PTQs.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

In addition to your online application, the following documents must be submitted and received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement:

Resume - You must submit a resume to be eligible for this position. Your resume must show how you possess the ECQs and PTQs required for this position. In addition, it is recommended your resume include the following information:

a. Your full name, mailing address (including zip code), day and evening telephone numbers and email address.

b. Paid and Non-paid job-related work experience. For each job listed you are to provide: job title; duties and accomplishments; employer's name and address; supervisor's name and phone number; starting and ending dates (month and year); hours per week; salary; and if a Federal position - title, series, and grade/pay band.

c. Education. Provide name, city and state of all schools attended; i.e., colleges and universities, vocational, trade, business, technical. Provide dates of attendance, major, and type and year of any degrees received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

d. Other Job Related Qualifications Information: Provide training courses, special skills you possess, certificates and licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, etc., applicable to the position.

Additional documents you may submit:

1. For current Senior Executives or individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your career appointment status in the SES.

2. For current Federal employees: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your current tenure, position title, series, grade level and pay.

3. For OPM QRB Certified SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) Graduates: You are encouraged to submit your OPM certificate of QRB ECQ approval.

Documents not listed above including writing samples, recommendation letters, narrative ECQ and PTQ statements, and proof of veteran status will not be considered and will not be forwarded to the rating panel or selecting official.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

You may be directed to FAX specific documentation to verify information about your civil service status, your education, and/or other information. Please fax with the appropriate cover sheet. Please refer to the fax cover sheet for the fax number. Each document must be dialed and faxed in separately as each sheet includes an identification number, which ensures your document is processed correctly.

FAXING INSTRUCTIONS:

Please fax legible documents using the appropriate coversheet. Documents may be faxed at any time during the open period of this announcement by going to http:/www.usajobs.opm.gov

1. Log into MYUSAJOBS

2. Click on "Applications"

3. Locate the vacancy you applied to

4. Under "Applicant Status" column, click on "More Information"

5. Select "View/Generate Fax Cover Sheet" and click "Continue"

If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement for alternate methods of application.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.